Parachute apparatus



Jan. 23, 1934. E. H. mc&-1o1.s 1,944,801

PARACHUTE APPARATUS Fild Nov. 7. 1929 5 Sheets-S'neet 1 INVENTOR.

Erwin H .Nichcfl5.

ATTORNEYS.

Jan. 23,1934.

E. H. NICHOLS PARACHUTE APPARATUS Filed Nov. 7. 1929 5 Sheets-S'neer. 2

INVENTOR. Erw1.n H.Nichu15. I

ATTORNEYS.

Jan. 23, 1934. E. H. NICHOLS PARACHUTE APPARATUS Filed Nov. 7. 1929 5 Sheets-S'neet 5 INVENTOR.

Erwin H. Nichul5.

ATTORNEYS.

Jan. 23, 193L H. NICHOLS PARACHUTE APPARATUS Filed Nov.

7. 1929 5 Sheets-S'neet 4 INVENTOR. Erwin H.Nichu1s.'

ATTORNEYS.

Jan. 23, 1934. E. H. NICHOLS PRACHU'I'EI APPARATUS Filed Nov. 7. 1929 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 INVENTOR. ErwinH.Nichuls.

ATTORNEYS.

Patented Jan. 23, 1934 PATENT OFFICE PRACHUTE APPARATUS Erwin House Nichols, Brooks Field,. Tex., as-

signor to Irving Air Chute Company, Inc., Buffalo, N. Y., a corporation Application November 7, 1929. Serial N0. 405,389

\ 31 Claims.

This invehtion relates to improvements in parachute apparatus, and has more particular relation 130 an improved apparatus for the dropping of articlesfrom aircraft which it is desired shall 5 reach the earth expeditiously and with safety.

The primary object cf the invention is the provision of an improve'd container for receiving various articles which it is desired to drop to the earth from aircracft at considerable altitudes; the

said containerbeing of a practic'al, durable, and quickly opened type, of a nature which will permit the article or articles carried therein to be 10W- ered by means of parachute apparatus, with a maximum degree of safety to the artic1es, and

artic1es er the container when the 1atter engages the earth er other obstruction after a. descent.

A further and important object of this invention is the provision cf parachute apparatus adapted to drop animate or inanimate articles or objects, other than human beings, which includes a flexible artic1e carrier or container having associated therewith a parachute pack in an operative and practical relation.

A further object 015 this invention is the provision of improved parachute apparatus including a parachute pack and an article carrier of a flexible padded type adapted to receive therein articles, such as machine guns and the 1ike, in a. protected relation.

A further object of this invention is the provision of an improved flexible padded container adapted to be used in connection with a parachute for the dropping of articles from aircraft.

It has been thought desirable to provide apparatus which will enable personnel, machine guns, ammunition, supplies, and so forth, to be expeditiously placed at strategic points, during war-' fare, beyond the enemys lines, o1 at points which might otherwise be inaccessible in time of war. Heretofore there has been provided no practical device which would enable the expeditious dropping of personnel and articles under su'ch circumstances, with safety. It has been heretofore pro posed to drop articles by direct attachment to an unfolded paraichute, without contemplating the problem incident; to the dropping of heavy loads, or other loads in a safe relation, from the aircraft, at the time of release; and without pro- 5O viding suflicient safety factor for the protection of articles a1; the time of contact after a descent. With the improved container cf this invention, in combination with the practical type cf parachute apparatus associated therewith, means has been provided for the efiective dropping of any charwith but little liability of damage to eithe'r the acter of article, with safety and with dispatch,

and in a manner which will enable direct access to the article withln a very short period of time after landing.

Other objects and advantages of this invention will be apparent during -the course of the fol1owing detailed description.

In the drawings, wherein similar reference characters designae corresponding parts throughout the several views,

Figure 1 is a plan view of the improved article dropping parachute apparatus, showing the sup porting straps of the container detached at the top of the container to enable a better showing 01 the rip cord release construction of the container.

Figure 2 is a side elevation of the articl'e C011- tainer' with the parachute pack removed therefrom, and with the suspension straps of the container relatively detached at the top of the coutainer.

Figure 3 is a view of the container similar to Figure 2, but with the parachute pack attached 110 the container, and with a guard flap for one of the rip cords at a side of the container swung 30 back to expose the details of the releasable fastening means.

Figure 4 is a perspective view showing the relation in which the parachute apparatus, including the article container and pack, may be sup- 35 ported upon a suitable release upon the aircraft just prior t0 tripping of the release for lanching the apparatus.

Figure 5 is a perspective view showing the cantainer open and the articles therein, which have been safely dropped by the container, exposed and ready for detaehment from the container; the container in the present instance being a machine gun bag which has lowered machine gun parts with safety.

Figure 6 is a, transverse sectional view taken 'through the apparatus, showing details of the article container and parachute and pack associated therewith.

Figure '7 is a Vertical sectional view taken through the container er article carrier in its folded condition, with the parachute pack detached therefrom.

Figure 8 is a perspective view showing the parachute pack, and more particularly means for detachably connecting the same to the article carrier or container.

Figure 9 is a view taken through a portion of the padded container or article carrier and showing more particularly the detachable fastenlng connection for the mountihg of the pack thereon.

Figure 10 is a perspective view of a modified :form 0f the invention, uncler eircumstances where the apparatus is adapted to be launched as an attaching type, in. contradistinction to the launching of the apparatus of Figure 4, which includes a parachute pack having a pilot para chute.

In the drawings, Wherein for the purpose cf illustration are shown several forme of the invention, the letter A may generally designate the apparatus, which may include the improvecl container B having a parachute pack C detachably anti operatively associa.ted therewifih.

The shape and formation of the container may vary considerably according to the character of the article 01 articles which it is adapted t0 receive. As a general characteristic, the container is made of flexible material, internally padded 120 provide one or more compartments in which the article or articles may be 1eceived; the padding preferably being of material having a, specifie gravity lower than water, preferably kapok, since it is conceivable that by accident 01 premeditation, the carrier may be dropped upon a body of water. More specifically, in the present instance, the carrier is of a type which may be quickly opened, and it ls longitudinally split at its upper portion, and provided With releasable fastening devices which will enable the expeditious opening of the container to quickly expose the contents thereof. The lower portion 01 the container may remain intact, when the container is open, as a support for the articles which it is adapted to hold. In the illustration, the container B is more particularly adapted for the reception of machine guns er like articles. It is of elongated formation, and may be cylindrical, although due to the arrangement of padding am). the panel formation thereof, the container has a substantially rectangular cross section. As more particularly shown in Figures 6 and 7 of the drawings, the container may include a bottom Wall 15, side walls 16 and 17, other side or opposed walls 18 and 19, and a top wall 20. The walls as formed are preferably of canvas, water-proofed if desirec'l, although the walls may be made of other flexible material if desired. preferably woven textile. The walls 16 to 19 lnclusive may be formed of separate panels, if desired, longitudinally stitched together ab the corners thereof, as indicated at 22 in various figures of the drawings. Similarly the bottom wall 15 may be made l a similar panel, stltched er otherwise secured, as shown at 23 in Figure 7 of the drawings to the lower ends of the side wall panels 16 to 19 inclusive.

A short distance above the bottom wall 15, preferably about one-fourth the height of the container B, the side Walls 16 and 17 are longitudinally split up to and across the top wall 20, thus dividing the upper portion of the container B into complementary sections shown in their open relatlon in Figure 5 of the drawings. The walls 16 and. 17 are split in a plane about midway between the walls 18 and 19, so that the Walls 16 and 17, as shown in Figure 6 of the drawings, comprise a, fiap section 25, and a flap section 26, the fermer being connected with 1he Wall 18 und the latter with the wall 19. The top wall 20 is of course divided into complementary sections 30 and 31, respectively connected with the walls 18 and 19 by stitching thereto; the flap sections 30 and 31 having fastening means at their overlapping edges for connecting them together in providing ehe Wall 20. Along their free edges i;he flap portions 25 anal 30 of the side and top walls 16, 17 ancl 20 are provided with eyelets 017 grommets 33, adapted to receive therethrough the projections or studs 34 which are secured along the outer surfaces of the margins of the fiaps 26 ancl 31. The said margins in which the complementary fastening parts 33 and 34 are positioned may be reinforced by webbing. It is 150 be noted from Figure 3 of the drawings that there are five fastening points on the side Wall 17, and similarly on the opposite side wall 16 there are also five fastening points. The top wall, as shown in Figure 1, has three fastening points.

The studs 34 are each provided with transverse openings 36 therethrough, on the ends which project beyond the eyelets 33 when they are received therein; These openings 36 are adapted to receive the detent or retaining pins 40 of rlp cords 41 and 42, shown more particularly in Figures 1 and 3 of the dra.wings. There are two rip cords provided. for instantly opening the bag or container for exposing the contents, although one or more rip cords may be provided if so desired. The r1'p cord 41, es shown in Figure 1, has a handle 43 releasably seated in a pocket 44 on the top wall 20 of the container, closer to the wall 16 tha.n the opposite wall 17; the rip cord body 45 extending from the handle 43, a.nd the same being of the flexible type ordinarily used for the rip cords of parachutes, and having retaining pins 40 therein of a number to secure two of the fastening devices of the t op wall 20, a.nd the five fastening devices along the Wall 17, as shown in Figure 3 of the drawings. The other rip cord 42 has a handle 43 detachably housed in an expansible pocket or retainer 44 0n the top Wall 20, closer to the wall 17 than the Wall 16; the said rip cord 42 including a cord body 45 extending along the top wall 20 and down along the side wall 16, and having pin extensions 40 thereon in number suificient to take care of the fastening device on the top wall closer to the Wall 16, ancl the five fastening devices which it is intended to provide along the Wall 16. It is of course apparent to those skilled in this art that the retaining pins 40 are releasably extended through the openings 36 of the fastening studs 34 to hold the eyelets 33 in plane, and attach the overlabping portions of the flaps of the side and top walls together, for maintaining the container in a closed condition. The pockets 44 and 44 have mouths which are contracted by elastics 130 hold i;he handles er rip cord rings 42 and. 43 in position on 'che top wall 20. T0 open the sack or container lt is merely necessary for the operator to grasp the handle 43, er 43 as the case may be, and pull it from its respective pocket. By pulling the handle of the rip cord 41 or 42, as the case may be, in a direction opposite to the rip cord body, the pins 40 will be releasecl from the studs 34 of the fastening devices with which lt respectively cooperates, and permit the eyelets 33 of those studs to slip ofi the studs 34, which a.re o1 cone-shape, to facilitate detachment.

The container, upon release of both rip cords 41 and 42 readily falls apart, at its upper portion, into substantially the position shown in Figure 5, for exposing and rendering accessible the contents thereof.

The walls of the container a.re padded. Spaced from the wall 18 and secured at its longitudinal margins to the inner surfa.ces adja.cent the free edges of the flaps 25 of the walls 16 and 17 there is provided flexible lining material 50, shown in Figures 6 and '7 cf the drawings, which ab its lower margin is secured at 51 near the base of the Wall 18, and at its upper margin is secured at 52 near the juncture where the top wall 30 is stitched with the wall 18. In the pocket/provided bet ween the Wall 18 and the flap portion 25 is' disposed filling material 54, preferably cf a bu oyant nature, such as kapok. The lining 50 is drawn into shape with the wall 18 and the wall portion 25 by tufts 55. Sirnilarly, a flexible liner 56 is secured along its longitudinal margins to the inner surfaces adjacent the free eclges of the fiap portions 26 of the side walls 16. and 17, and at its lower and upper margins being secured 130 the bottom wall and top Wall flaps 31 respectively, in the position shown in Figure 7, 1:0 provide a pocket between the lirier 56 and wa1l 19, wherein buoyant filling material 58 is provided, which Will float upon water, the same preferably being kapok. The filling material 58 is drawn into shape by tufting designated at 59, for compressing and form-shaping the filling material.

In the example Shown a bottom pillow er pad 60 is provided, comprising a flexible cover 61, having some buoyant material 62 stuffed therein, such as kapok; the pillow covering the inside of the bottom 15, and at its ends being supported into a compressed engagement beneath the padding of the side Walls 18 and 19, as shown in Figure '7. Diarnetrically across the pillow or pad 60 there is provided an intermediate partition pad 64, between the Walls 18 and 19, which includes an enclosing flexible cover 65 having some buoyant padding material, such as kapok 66, placecl therein. This partition pad 64 extends vertically between the padded walls 18 and 19, the lower end thereof beim; secured als by stitching 67 with the pad 60, and the upper end terminating at the top Wall 20, Where a top pillow 68,

similar to the pillow 60 above described, is provided, the pillow 68 fitting compactly into a compressible relation into the top of the container beneath the 1:0p Wall 20, and at its margins forced into a compact relation against the padding of the side Walls 18 and 19, and against the top of the padded partition wall 64, asis shown in Figure 7 of the drawings. This provides padded chambers or compartments 70 and 71 at opposite sides of the-padded. partition wall 64, which may receive therein any type of articles desired, such as the machine gun parts 74 shown in Figure 5 of the drawings,

In view of the natura of abuse to which the container is or may be subjected, and ist provide a reinforced support therefor, flexible webbing or other reinforcement is provided, comprising substantially U-shaped slings '72 and 73, each of which are stitched longitudinally along opposite side margins of the wall 19; extended in a stitched and secured relation beneath the bottom Wall 15; and extended in a stitched and secured relation longitudinally along the walls 18 and 19, providing a pair of U-shaped slings whose ends extend upwardly in a detachable relation above the top Wall 20. This webbing is of the type ordinarily used forthe harness of parachute apparel, and comprises cross woven textile. At the wall 19 the ends of the webbing pieces 72 and 73 are provided with loose straps 76 and 77 respectively, as shown in Figures 1 and 4, and. elsewhere, each of which at the free end thereof is provided with a. main suspension ring 78, and smaller connecting ring 79. The web hing portions 72 and 73 extending along the wall 18 project at the top of said Wall in loose straps and 81respectively, shown in Figures 1 and 4, each of which at the free end is provided wlth a conventional er special snap fastener 82, preierably spring operated, for snapping on to the companion smaller ring 79 of the other strap end of its respective sling 72 or '13. This enables the strap ends 76 and 80 of the sling 72 to be brought into a releasable connection across the top wall 20 of the ontainer, and also the strap ends 77 and 81 of the sling 73 to be brought into a releasa-ble connection across the top wall 20. The lift rings 78 are adapted to receive thereupon the detachable snap fasteners 85 of the suspension lines 86 of the main parachute contained in the pack C, as will be further mentioned. 'It should be noted that the Walls 18 and 19, at the tops thereof, to which the reinforcements 72 and 73 are stitched, is additiona1ly reinforced by stitching shown at 90 in Figures 4 and 10 of the drawings, to prevent tear of the fabric.

Circumferential reinforcement is provided, particularly about the upper portion of the coutainer B, and which reinforcement consists, at spaced intervals, of complementary webbing pieces and 101, the former extending in a stitched relation exteriorly about the Wall 18 and the flap portions 25, and the latter extending in a stitched relation exteriorly about the wall 19 and the flaps 26. The ends of the webbing sections 100 have the grommets er eyelets 33 secured thereto, while the studs 34 are secured to the ends of the webbing pieces 101. Thus, when the fastener devices, comprised 01 the parts 33 and 34 are held together, circumferential reinforcing webbing is provided entirely about the container, ab as many spaced. annular locations as desired. Only two of such annular reinforcing bands are shown in the drawings, but more may be provided if found necessary.

The parachute pack C is detachable, and it is preferably form-fitting, of the nature sei; forth in U. S. Patent N0. 1,882,086. Among other things, it consists of a flexible container 110 which in accordance with Standard construction, may be folded substantially flat, and which includes a pocketed body portion 111 having a wire frame 112 holding the same semi-rigid, the frame 112 being bent 110 the shape of the wall cf the container on which positioned, as is shown in Figure 6. The flaps of the container 110 are releasably connected in the usual manner, more particularly as sei: forth in'U. S. Patent #1,554192, by means of fastening devices controlled by an ordinary rip cord 114, having a rip cord handle or ring er coupling 115 secured therewith. The parachute apparatus in the pack 135 container 110 may include a main parachute 116, shown in Figure 6, to which a pilot parachute 117 is operatively connected at the peak thereof, in the usual relation. Both the main and pilot parachutes, in accordance with standard construction, are packed in the pack Container 110, from which they are released upon pulling the rip cord 114. The shroud lines of the main parachute are of co urse connected to the suspension straps 86 in the usual relation, and the latter are detachably connected with the lift rings 78 as above described, and shown in the various figures of the drawings. The pack C is connected in a novel manner with the bag or article container or carrier B.

Referring to the attachmenfi of the pack in a compacted, shallow, ancl form-fitting relation upon the exterior of the bag er container B, the exterior surface of the back or body wall 111 of the pack C is provided with a pair of attaching straps 120 ancl 121, secured at their upper ends 122 near ehe top o1" the pack body 111; the said straps otherwise being detachable with respect to the back body 111, and at their free ends havir1g fastener parts 123 adapted to cooperate with complementary fastener parts 124 secured exteriorly upon the back 111 near the lower end thereof; the fasteners 123 and 124 being of the type known as lift-the-dot. The straps 120 and 121 are threaded through suitable loops 130 near the upper connected ends 122 thereof, anal spaced therefrom. Further towards their detachable ends, the straps 120 and 121 are adapted to be threaded through pairs of relatively spaced loops 133 and 134 respectively.

As to the application of the pack upon the bag B, the harness webbing sections 101, while stitched exteriorly upon the walls of the bag B, each have two places where such stitching does not extend about the webbing 101, leaving loops through which the detachable straps 120 and 121 are threaded, as shown in Figures 6 and 9 of the drawings. The pack C is so positioned that the straps 120 and 121 thread through the loops of the webbing 101 between ehe straps 130 and the attached ends 122, as shown in Figure 9 of the drawings, and the said straps 120 and 121 thread through the lower webbing 131 of the container B, at a location between the pairs of straps 133 and 134, as is shown in Figure 9. This holds the pack C exteriorly upon the Wall 19 01 the bag or container B, in a1 rather o"ut of the way position, where the same, whether open or closed, will not interfere with bhe quick opening or closing of the article carrier bag or container B, as is readily apparent. Of course, to detach the pack C it is merely necessary to release the Hit-thedot fasteners of the straps 120 and 121, and pull the latter into a releasecl connection through the loops provided in the webbing 101.

As a protection for the fastener devices anal rip cords of the bag B, flexible guard fiaps 140 may be provided along the free edges of the flap portions 26 o1 the walls 16 and 17, which detachably fold over the fastener devices and ehe rip cord, having detachable fastener parts 141 along the free edges thereof which snap with complementary fastener portions 142 arranged along the fiap portions 25; the fastener portions 141 and 142 being of the lift-the-dot type. Pulling of the rip cords of the bag B is not inte'rfered with by the guard fiaps 140, nor do such guard fiaps interfere with the opening of the upper sections of the bag or container B upon release of ehe fastener parts by their respective rip cords.

In the preferred manner of dropping the parachu'te apparatus, With the container properly assembled and the pack C mounted thereon, the lift rings 78 are detachably connected with a suitable trip 150. The apparatus may be supported upon a suitable releasing rack upon the aircraft, such as the bomb bay or rack now in use, and upon release of the trip 150, the rings 78 Will be released and the apparatus will drop free -of the aircraft. The rip cord ring 114 of the parachute pack is connected by a cord 152, With some part 154 of the aircraft, as shown in Figure 4, and of course after the trip 150 has released the bag B and the latter has dropped to a certain distance, the cord 150 will be stretched t'aut', pulling the rip cord 114 of the parachute pack C. The latter will open substantially in accordance with standard parachute apparatus, such as sei; forth in U. S. Patents 1,340423 1,403934, 1,462,456 and1,554,192, releasing the pilot parachute 117 in event one is used, which of course functions 120 pull the main parachute 116 into position. The main parachute is thi1s launched properly and the suspension straps 86 extended for vertically supporting the container B by reason of their coupling with the lift rings 78.

In event it; is not desired to use a pilot parachute, so as to quickly launch the main parachute, as when used for 10W altitudes, and under other conditions, the rip cord ring 115, as shown in Figure 10 cf t he drawings, is also connected to a break cord 160, which is adapted to break when a strain of 100 pounds, more or less, is placed thereon, the cord 160 being substantially langer than the rip cord 114 of the parachute pack C, and at its end opposite the ring 115 being connected to ehe peak 161 of the main parachute 116, shown issuing from the pack C in Figure 10 of the'drawings. Of course, when the trip 150 is released as shown in Figure 10 the container B and pack C therewith will drop; the rip cord 114 being pulled loose anti throwing the container of the pack C open. The break cord 160 will pull the main parachute 116 straight, and when the main parachute and its shroud lines have been stretcheol baut, so that the load in the container B is placed on the break cord 160, the latter will rupture, and of course the apparatus will descend properly.

With the improved apparatus I have safely dropped, during experimental tests, such articles, as water, ham, eggs, rice, flour, and other edible provisions. Also pistols, belts, ammunition, cigars, cigarettes, and the like. One of the most important tests which has frequently ben made under my supervision has been a maneuver which consists of the dropping of machine gun crews and guns. The men were dropped from two units of three ships each, fiying in V-formation, about 150 yards apart, a1; altitudes of 1500 feet. The usual apparatus was used for droppmg the men. The guns were dropped in the improved apparatus ab altitudes of about 400 feet after landing of the crew. The various crews usually have their guns in action thirty seconds after they have landed and secured the cantainer. Features ofithe improved appara.tus may be used for droppirig a wide var'iety of articles, other than those above mentioned, as can readily be appreciated.

While I have herein described tlze principle of operation of my invention, together with the apparatus which I now consider to represent a. good operative embodiment thereof, I desire 130 have it understood that the apparatus shown is only illustrative, and that the invention can be carried out by other means. For instance, the padding of the aontainer may be re-arranged to suit the shape and charaeteristics of the articles being dropped and the opening cf the container may be accomplished in a manner other than that above described. While the invention as shown is intended to use the various features anti elements in the combination as described, it is to be understood that some of them may be altered and others omitted without departing from the scope o1 the invention.

I claim:

1. As an article of manufacture a ctmtainer to be used in dropping of material and the like by means of parachutes from aircraft including.com plementary padded closure parts, and rip cord means for rele'asably fastening said parts in an enclosing container form.

2. In apparatus for dropping articles by means of parachutes, the combination cf a flexible Container having an interiorly padded chamber and releasable means to completely enclose the same, reinforcement webbirig seeured exteriorly about the container having suspension means extending therefrom, and paraehute apparatus for the coutainer having a connection With said suspension means.

3. In apparatus for the dropping of articles and other objeets from aircraft and the like, the combination of a flexible container having releasable means to completely enclose the same, reinforcement webbing secured thereabout beneath the container and along the opposite sides of -the container, and parachute apparatus releasably packed upon the container and having a suspension connection with the upper ende of said webhing.

4. In parachute apparatus of the class clescribed an article carrier casing, means 110 open and close the casing at the top for placement and removal of articles with respect to the casing, a parachute paek ineluding a container, means exteriorly connecting the container of the parachute pack against a side Wall of the earrier, a paraahnte compacted in the paek, means for releasing the parachute from the pack container, and suspension means extending from the parachute within tl1e paek and having connection with said carrier casing.

5. In parachute apparatus of the dass described an article carrier of flexible material having a compartment for receiving articles, flexible reinforcement webbing exteriorly attached upon ehe carrier having flexible portions thereof pro vided with transverse loops, a parachute pack including a container, and. flexible fastening straps on the container of the parachute pack detachably connecting the pack through the loops of the webbing 130 said carrier.

6. In a parachute pack construction the combination of a container including a body portion provided with a plurality of attaching straps each having an end connected fixedly on the pack cantainer, and an opposite detachable end with a releasable connection upon the container body, and loops secured upon the container body through which eaeh cf the straps are releasably threaded.

7. In a container for dropping articles by parachutes ehe combination of an artiele container ineluding complementary closure portions, said portions having fastening devices thereon, one of the portions having studs with transverse openings and the other portion having eyelets through which the studs are to be received so that the transverse openings of the studs extend beyond the eyelets, and a rip cord including pins for extension through the transverse openings of the studs to hold the fastener parts of the closure portions in a releasably secured relation to maintain ehe container closure parts relatively shut.

8. In an article carrier for parachute apparatus of the dass described the combination of a container, means to open the same, the interior walls of the cqntainer being padded, and a padded partition in the container sub-dividing the same therein into compartments.

9. In a carrier casing for dropping of articles with safety by meansof parachutes the combination of a casing of flexible material, means to open the casing, the casing being interiorly lined With padding, and a padded partition in the coutainer.

10. In a container for the dropping of articles by means cf parachutes the eombination of a flexible casing of an elongated nature, padded walls interiorly cf the container, a padded bttom, a padded top, and a padded partition within the container.

I1. In a Container for dropping of articles by means of parachutes the combination 015 a flexible container divided into complementary parts of about equal size and rip cord means for releas-' ably holding the flexible Container parts in article enclosing form.

-12. In a container for dropping of articles by means of parachutes the combination of a split flexible container, rip cord means for releasably holding ehe split flexible container in article enclosing form, and a parachute pack releasably connected exteriorly upon the container and having a suspension connection with the container.

13. In a container for dropping 0f articles by means of parachutes the combination cf a split flexible container, rip cord means for releasably holding the split flexible container in article enclosing form, a parachute pack releasably connected exteriorly upon the container and having a suspension connection with the container, said container being interiorly padded for protection of articles received therein.

14. In a eontainer 013 the dass described the combination of an elongated flexible casing being split from the top thereof down along the sides, complementary fastening parts disposed on the container along the margins of the split a1; the top and sides, and. rip cord means for releasably connecting the fastening parts together along the top and sides of the container in an enclosing re-' lation.

15. In a container of the class described the combination of an elongated flexible casing being splil: from the top thereof down along the sides, complementary fastening parts disposed on the container along the margins of the split at the top and sides, rip cord means for releasably sonnecting the fastening parts together along the top and sides of the conoainer in an enclosing relation, the rip cord means including a pair of rip cords, the ends of which are mounted in an easily accessible relation on top of the container with the bodies of the rip cords extending in a connecting relation with said fastener parts along the top and down along opposite sides of the container.

16. In a container of the class described the combination of a flexible padded container comprising apair of complementary relatively split parts, a padded partition mounted in the container in the plane of the split of said parts, and releasable fastening means including fastener parts complementarily arranged upon the coutainer parcs and a rip cord for releasably maintaining tlie fastener parts connected.

1'7. In an article carrier of the class described. the combination of a flexible container split to provide an opening therealong, complementary fastener parts on the container ab the facing sides of said split, and reinforcement webbing'exteriorly about the container, the ende 0f which are secured to said fa'stener parts.

18. In an article carrier of the class described an elongated container split substantially diametrieally irom the top downwardly along the sides thereof, releasable fastening devices for holding the container together, reinforcement webbing extending laterally and longitudinally exteriorly upon said container, and parachute suspension couplings connected with said webhing.

19. In an article carrier of ohe dass described an elongated container split substantially diametrically from the top downwardly along the sides thereof, releasable fastening devices for holding the container together, reinforcement wvebbing extending laterally and longitudinally exteriorly upon said container, and. parachute suspension couplings connected with said webbing ab the top of said container.

20. In apparatus of the dass described a conta.iner having closure parts opening at the top and sides thereof with releasabie fastening means, suspension straps connected to the container at o'pposite sides of the opening therein, means 110 snap said suspension straps together, and a parachute having a releasable suspension connection with said straps.

21. In an apparatus of the dass described the combination of a carrier having an opening for access thereto, releasable fastening devices for closing said opening, suspension means connected with the carrier a1; opposite sides of the opening, a coupling for connecting said suspension means together substantially directly ab said opening, and parachute apparatus associated with the carrier having a suspension connection with said coupling.

22. In parachute apparatus the combination with an aircraft, of a load, a parachute pack attached to the load including a container and a parachute compacted therein, a removable rip cord for opening the container, means connectfing the rip cord with the aircraft for automatically pulling the rip cord free of the container upon release of the load from the aircraft, and a break cord connected with the peak of the parachute Within the pack and extending directly therefrom exteriorly cf the pack with a connection With the aircraft, the break cord bearing such relation to the rip cord and means which connects the rip cord with the aircraft that the rip cord will be removed for opening the comtainer prior to the time that the break cord is extended for pulling the peak of ohe parachute from the pack.

23. In apparatus for dropping of articles from aircraft; the combination o:f a container, means 110 open the container fr access to articles therein, suspenSion rings connected with the container, a parachute pack exteriorly mounted on the container including a parachute compacted therein and suspension straps connected wich the parachute and extending exteriorly of the pack, means for releasably connecting the suspension straps with the suspension rings of the container, and release means for connecting the suspension rings upon an aircraft.

24. In apparatus for dropping of articles from aircraft the combination of a container, means to open the container for access to articles therein, suspension rings connected with the container, a parachute pack exteriorly mounted on the comtainer including a. parachute compacted therein and suspension st1aps conneced With the parachute. and extending exteriorly of the pack, means for releasably connecting the suspension straps with the suspension rings of the container, release means for connecting the suspension rings upon an aircraft, said parachute pack inoluding a rip cord, and means connecting the rip cord with the aircraft to automatically open the pack upon release of the container from the aircraft.

25. In apparatus for dropping articles by means of parachutes the combination ofa carrier casing having closure means therefor, a sling-like support; securely connected with the casing and extending therebeneath and along the sides thereof and having attaching means at the upper ends thereof, a parachute pack attached 130 the casing having parachute suspension means extending therefrom and connected With said attaching means of the sling.

26. In parachute apparatus of the dass de scribed the combination cf an article carrying casing having closure means therefor, said Casing being of flexible material, flexible suspension slings of U-shaped formation fixedly attached to said casing and extending beneath ehe casing am! along opposite sides thereof and at the upper ends thereof having attaching means at opposite sides of the casing, and a parachute pack secured to the casing anal having parachute suspension straps extending therefrom and attached to said attaching means.

2'7. In a parachute pack construction the com-= bination of a container including a body portion provided with a, plurality of attac hing straps each having an end connected fixedly on the pack cantainer and an opposite detachable end with releasable connection upon the container body, said body portion adjacent the fixed end of each strap having a loop through which the respective strap is threaded to provide a looped portion of i;he

strap between the fixed end and said loop, the am said body portion for each of said straps adjacen1: to the detachable connection end of the strap having a pair of relatively spaced loops through which the free end of the respective strap is threaded when connected to the body portion at its detachable end.

28. In parachute apparatus for dropping arti=- cles and the like from aircraft, the combination of a flexible container, a U-shaped suspension strap forming a sling fixedly connected to said container and having the upper end.s thereof 1ooped and extending freely above 'bhe container. means to connec'i: said. free ends together releasably above the container, and a, parachute pack associated with the container andhaving suspension means for releasable connection with the last mentioned means.

29. In parachute apparatus for dropping 015 articles and the like from aircraft, t;he combination of a container, suspension connections upon the container at opposite sides thereof, said suspension connections being flexible and extending freely upwardly and having means to releasably connect the same together above the sontainer a parachute pack mounted upon a. side wal1 of the container including a releasable parachute having suspension 1ines fiexibly extending fr0m the pack, and means releasably connect said suspension lines to the means which releasably connects the ends of said suspension connections together.

30. In apparatus for dropping of articles from aircraft, the combination of a. container, means to open the Container for access thereto, suspension members connected with the container at opposite sides of the opening of the container and embodsring means to relatively detachably connect the same together over the opening o1 the container, a parachute pack exteriorly mounced. on the container including a parachute cf elongated construction and flexible padding material having an end opening therein, anti a parachute pack carried upon a side of the container between its ends including a parachute canopy having operative connection With the container, and rip cqrd means to insure a lateral release of the canopyfrom the carrier casing.

ERWIN H. NICHOLS. 

